Political Parties in Africa Through a Gender Lens

Political Parties in Africa Through a Gender Lens
Author: Rumbidzai A. Kandawasvika-Nhundu
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014-03
Genre: Africa
ISBN: 9789187729058

One of the persistent democratic deficits throughout the world is women’s lack of influence in politics. In relation to political parties in particular, the voice of women in decision-making remains insufficient, and, in some cases, is nonexistent. This report is based on the findings of a two-year project implemented by International IDEA, aimed at analyzing the commitments of political parties to gender equality in 33 countries in Africa. One of the key findings from this research is that, although political parties’ constitutions and manifestos contain general gender equality commitments, their utility is limited by the lack of concrete measures to ensure that commitments are translated into effective actions and outcomes.

Freedom in the World 2012

Freedom in the World 2012
Author: Freedom House
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2012
Genre: Civil rights
ISBN: 9781442217942

A survey of the state of human freedom around the world investigates such crucial indicators as the status of civil and political liberties and provides individual country reports.

Nigeria's Critical Election, 2011

Nigeria's Critical Election, 2011
Author: John A. A. Ayoade
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 347
Release: 2013
Genre: History
ISBN: 0739175882

Elections have been central to regime collapse in Nigeria because they neither passed the test of citizens' acceptability nor electoral neutrality. They always pushed the country to a dangerous brink which she has often survived after serious constitutional and political bruises. The general election of 1964 rocked the delicate balance of the country resulting in the military coup of January 15, 1966 and a thirty month civil war. The subsequent effort of the military at restructuring the country did not go far enough to win the civic confidence of the people. The military availed itself of another opportunity of tinkering with the system in 1993. However, it demonstrated that it was not immune to civic dishonesty when it annulled the widely acclaimed free and fair presidential election in June 12, 1993. By fits and starts, Nigeria held another election in 1999 which was tolerated only because of citizens' fatigue of military rule. The elections of 2003 and 2007 were classic examples of make-belief democracy. The feeding of inequity and, if you will, domination, persisted. A combination of fortune, trickery and arm twisting produced a power shift in favour of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan in April 2011. The subsequent attempt by the north to create a strategic consensus did not save it from being pushed into fringe politics forcing some of its spokespersons to vow that they will make governance impossible. The election was better than the worst but much still remains to be done.

Democracy in the South

Democracy in the South
Author: Brendan M. Howe
Publisher: UN
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2010
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

Democracy in the South is the first international collaboration that draws attention to the complex problems of democratic consolidation across the majority world. Nine case studies, three each from Africa, Latin America and Asia, shed light on the contemporary challenges faced by democratizing countries, mostly from the perspective of emerging theorists working in their home countries.--Publisher's description.

Introducing Democracy

Introducing Democracy
Author: David Beetham
Publisher: UNESCO
Total Pages: 133
Release: 2009-01-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9231040871

Presents a selection of questions and answers covering the principles of democracy, including human rights, free and fair elections, open and accountable government, and civil society.